During the week I went to Tigre ( a neighbourhood beside the River Plate´s Delta), because I needed some pecan nuts, a regional product of the place. I could actually get them in a specialized food supply shop, but I really enjoy buying them directly from the producers. They sell them with their shell or without it and you can tell they are really fresh.

I had done a recipe with pecans for some muffins I posted in the FOOD52 blog, where I am actively participating, and I had about a cup left over. I started looking for a good recipe to use them and found this tart that can make a great dessert served with some vanilla ice-cream or some raspberries and whipped cream.

Almond is my favourite nut. Sometimes I wonder if it has to do with my Armenian descent. It is told that the edible almond (the wild variety is poisonous) comes from the Middle East, specifically a region between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Anyway, this valued fruit is very versatile as an ingredient in the kitchen.

The edible type of almond derives from the prunus amygdalus or prunus dulcis, one of the first domesticated fruit trees in the ancient Middle East. It is common to the Armenian, Arab and Jewish culture. It can be found in numerous passages of the Old Testament in the Bible, as a symbol of watchfulness and promise, probably due to its early flowering. It is told that the rod of Aaron, brother of Moses, was an almond rod that blossomed with bitter or sweet almonds, according to the behaviour of the Jewish people.

From a nutritional standpoint the almond has countless qualities. Most of the vitamin B complex, a significant amount of vitamin E and minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Nevertheless it is very rich in calories. Its energy value is approximately 576cal per 100gr. It is eaten as a fruit and also processed as flour (almond meal), oil, milk or paste and its uses in cooking are varied.

What a week! My school celebrated its 175th aniversary, Jewish people celebrated the Hebrew New Year... and "Secretary s Day" was on the 4th of September in the country.

I spent part of the week reading about Jewish cuisine and I thought this popular recipe would be just right for the week-end. It can be made in advance and eaten anytime. It is an excellent snack.
So lets leave a tray full of them and take a break from the kitchen during the week-end!